Liu Ba (Three Kingdoms)

Liu Ba (died 222),[1] courtesy name Zichu, was an official in the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Liu Ba succeeded Fa Zheng as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing in 220 and held office until his death in 222.

While his father, Liu Xiang (劉祥) was appointed as Administrator of Jiangxia (江夏太守) and General Who Defeats Rebels (盪寇將軍).

As the Administrator of Nanyang (南陽太守), Zhang Zi (張咨) refused to supply him with provisions for his army.

Liu Xiang had a good relation with Sun Jian therefore officials and people from Nanyang begrudged him.

Although this happened several times, Liu Ba didn't fall for his trick and gave them no answer.

I would travel from one master's home to another and learned "perfect memorization in order to answer any questions" however it isn't enough to have my name so well known.

I'm not the same as Yang Zhu able to maintain serenity in all circumstances neither the manner of Mo Di known for attending to the matters of all times.

You sent me a letter expressing your desire to have your worthy nephew gave up on the beauty of the phoenixes and simurghs only to wander in the world of swallows and sparrows.

While returning to the north, he wanted to employ Huan Jie with the mission to convince Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang commanderies to submit.

As Jing was under Liu Bei's control, he decided to move back to the south as a way to one day return to the north.

He knew that Zhuge Liang was at Lingzheng so he wrote to him : "During my life, I have been forced to go through danger, faced with troubles and hardships.

I met many people concerned about virtue and righteousness who wished to follow me, carrying on the intention of Heaven and obeying nature's will.

If the path is closed and my days here end, I shall entrust my life to the azur sea not looking back again toward Jing Province."

Zhuge Liang quickly wrote him back: "Lord Liu Bei's great ability dominates the empire.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang repeatedly praised and recommended him for high position therefore Liu Bei appointed him as staff member to his office as Senior West Department Official (軍西曹掾).

Therefore Zhuge Liang said to Liu Ba: "Although Zhang Fei is a martial person, he deeply admires and respects you.

Liu Ba's reply to Zhuge Liang was "When a real man is born in this world, he must associate himself with the greatest heroes.

Zhuge Liang further said about Liu Ba "In logistics planning and strategies inside the tent curtains, I'm not the equal of Zichu.

However if it's about beating the drums, gathering the army encampments and encouraging the common people to do their utmost, I can discuss this with others.

Sun Quan's reply to Zhang Zhao was: "If Zichu had chosen to be insincere and follow the oscillation of the world, only acting to please Liu Bei rather than behaving as his own self then how could he be worthy to be praised as a lingshi (令士; a virtuous scholarly gentleman)?

And so when his army conquered Chengdu, all the soldiers threw away their shields and spears and compete with one another to the various stores to take valuable items.

Liu Qingzhi also says that the Traditions of the Former Worthies would have used critical language when speaking of people of the enemy state and that it should not be trusted.